Comparison of mass transfer models for the numerical prediction of sheet cavitation around a hydrofoil

Cavitating flows, which can occur in a variety of practical cases, can be modelled with a wide range of methods. One strategy consists of using the RANS (Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes) equations and an additional transport equation for the liquid volume fraction, where mass transfer rate due to cavitation is modelled by a mass transfer model. In this study, we compare three widespread mass transfer models available in literature for the prediction of sheet cavitation around a hydrofoil. These models share the common feature of employing empirical coefficients, to tune the models of condensation and evaporation processes, that can influence the accuracy and stability of the numerical predictions. In order to compare the different mass transfer models fairly and congruently, the empirical coefficients of the different models are first well tuned using an optimization strategy. The resulting well tuned mass transfer models are then compared considering the flow around the NACA66(MOD) and NACA009 hydrofoils. The numerical predictions based on the three different tuned mass transfer models are very close to each other and in agreement with the experimental data. Moreover, the optimization strategy seems to be stable and accurate, and could be extended to additional mass transfer models and further flow problems.     

A robust implicit multigrid method for RANS equations with two-equation turbulence models

The design of a new, truly robust multigrid framework for the solution of steady-state Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations with two-equation turbulence models is presented. While the mean-flow equations and the turbulence model equations are advanced in time in a loosely-coupled manner, their multigrid cycling is strongly coupled (FC-MG). Thanks to the loosely-coupled approach, the unconditionally positive-convergent implicit time-integration scheme for two-equation turbulence models (UPC) is used. An improvement to the basic UPC scheme convergence characteristics is developed and its extension within the multigrid method is proposed. The resulting novel FC-MG-UPC algorithm is nearly free of artificial stabilizing techniques, leading to increased multigrid efficiency. To demonstrate the robustness of the proposed algorithm, it is applied to linear and non-linear two-equation turbulence models. Numerical experiments are conducted, simulating separated flow about the NACA4412 airfoil, transonic flow about the RAE2822 airfoil and internal flow through a plane asymmetric diffuser. Results obtained from numerical simulations demonstrate the strong consistency and case-independence of the method.     

Unsteady RANS simulation of oscillating mould flows

Mould flow oscillations are of major importance for the performance of the continuous casting process. They are suspected to promote entrainment of slag and other unwanted secondary phases into the melt pool. These oscillating turbulent flows are investigated by means of numerical simulations. The numerical model is based on the equation of continuity and the unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equations. The system of flow equations is closed by a Reynolds stress turbulence model in combination with non‐equilibrium wall functions. The unsteady simulation resolves low‐frequency oscillations of the flow field. These frequencies and numerically resolved mean values are in agreement with results of corresponding model experiments. The proposed model should be advantageous in order to investigate the mechanisms of the oscillations and the process of slag entrainment in more detail. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hybrid Unsteady RANS and PDF Method for Turbulent Non-Reactive and Reactive Flows

A hybrid unsteady Reynolds-averaged numerical simulation (U-RANS) and probability density function (PDF) method is developed for turbulent non-reactive and reactive flows. The resulting modeled equations are solved by a consistent hybrid finite volume and Lagrangian Monte-Carlo particle method. Both turbulent non-reactive and reactive flows in a rectangular channel containing a triangular-shaped bluff-body are simulated. One-step and two-step mechanisms for propane/air combustion are used for the reactive case. The time-averaged results are compared with both experimental data and numerical results from the literature using large eddy simulation (LES) and steady RANS. The results of the present method are in good agreement with the experimental data, and they improve the numerical results available in the literature.     

URANS Computations of Shock-Induced Oscillations Over 2D Rigid Airfoils: Influence of Test Section Geometry

The present article deals with recent numerical results from on-going research conducted at ONERA/DMAE regarding the validation of turbulence models for unsteady transonic flows, in which the mechanism of the shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction is important. The main goal is to predict the onset and extent of shock induced oscillations (SIO) that appear over the suction side of two-dimensional rigid airfoils and lead to the formation of unsteady separated areas. Computations are performed with the ONERA object-oriented software "elsA", using the URANS-type approach. In this approach, the unsteady mean turbulent flow is resolved using the standard Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations and closure relationships involving standard transport equation-type models without any explicit modification due to unsteadiness. Applications are provided and discussed for two different test cases, one of which is rather well documented for CFD validation and described by mean-flow, phase-averaged and fluctuating data. Results demonstrate the importance of modelling the upper and lower walls of the test section when trying to capture SIO as precisely as possible with 2D computations, even though the adaptation of wind tunnel walls had been carefully considered. Finally, turbulence validation has been performed using one- and two-transport equation-type models, one of them resulting from in-house investigations for other turbulent flows applications.     

Joint RANS/LES Approach to Premixed Flame Modelling in the Context of the TFC Combustion Model

We present an original timesaving joint RANS/LES approach to simulate turbulent premixed combustion. It is intended mainly for industrial applications where LES may not be practical. It is based on successive RANS/LES numerical modelling, where turbulent characteristics determined from RANS simulations are used in LES equations for estimation of the subgrid chemical source and viscosity. This approach has been developed using our TFC premixed combustion model, which is based on a generalization of the Kolmogorov’s ideas. We assume existence of small-scale statistically equilibrium structures not only of turbulence but also of the reaction zones. At the same time, non-equilibrium large-scale structures of reaction sheets and turbulent eddies are described statistically by model combustion and turbulence equations in RANS simulations or follow directly without modelling in LES. Assumption of small-scale equilibrium gives an opportunity to express the mean combustion rate (controlled by small-scale coupling of turbulence and chemistry) in the RANS and LES sub-problems in terms of integral or subgrid parameters of turbulence and the chemical time, i.e. the definition of the reaction rate is similar to that of the mean dissipation rate in turbulence models where it is expressed in terms of integral or subgrid turbulent parameters. Our approach therefore renders compatible the combustion and turbulent parts of the RANS and LES sub-problems and yields reasonable agreement between the RANS and averaged LES results. Combining RANS simulations of averaged fields with LES method (and especially coupled and acoustic codes) for simulation of corresponding nonstationary process (and unsteady combustion regimes) is a promising strategy for industrial applications. In this work we present results of simulations carried out employing the joint RANS/LES approach for three examples: High velocity premixed combustion in a channel, combustion in the shear flow behind an obstacle and the impinging flame (a premixed flame attached to an obstacle).     

A robust near-wall elliptic-relaxation eddy-viscosity turbulence model for CFD

An eddy-viscosity model based on Durbin’s elliptic relaxation concept is proposed, which solves a transport equation for the velocity scales ratio instead of , thus making the model more robust and less sensitive to grid nonuniformities. Computations of flows and heat transfer in a plane channel, behind a step and in a round impinging jet show all satisfactory results.     

基于S-A湍流模型的Runge-Kutta有限元算法

采用一方程S-A模型(Spalart-Allmaras模型)封闭雷诺时均N-S方程(RANS方程)进行湍流数值计算,可以减少方程求解数量,节约计算时间。本文对其进行了有限元数值算法研究,首先通过沿流线坐标变换,得到无对流项RANS方程,并引入三阶Runge-Kutta法对其进行时间离散;然后利用沿流线的Taylor展开解决坐标变换带来的网格更新的困难;最后采用Galerkin法进行空间离散,得到湍流模型的有限元算法。基于方柱绕流和覆冰输电线绕流模型,与试验结果进行对比,验证了该算法的有效性,与一阶数值算法相比,该算法在精度和收敛性方面更具优势。     

The complementary RANS equations for the simulation of viscous flows

A complementary set of Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations has been developed for steady incompressible, turbulent flows. The method is based on the Helmholtz decomposition of the velocity vector field into a viscous and a potential components. In the complementary RANS solver a potential solution coexists with a viscous solution with the purpose of contributing to a fastest decay of the viscous solution in the far field. The proposed complementary RANS equations have been validated for steady laminar and turbulent flows. The computational results show that the complementary RANS solver is able to produce less grid‐dependent solutions than a conventional RANS solver. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.